Fluid sterilizer



ug- 11, 1953 F. w. wHlTLocK i 2,648,774

FLUID STERILIZER Filed Sept. 10f 1947 Patented Aug. 11, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID STERILIZER Fred W. Whitlock, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Automatic Pump .& Softener Corporation, Rockford, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 10, 1947, Serial No. 773,153

4 Claims. (Cl. Z50-43) This invention relates to sterilizers and particularly to sterilizers for water, beverages and the like.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a sterilizer of the above character which is reliable in operation, which can be used continuously, which can be readily and conveniently installed, Which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which uses electric sterilizing lamps having high intensity ultra-violet radiations.

Heretofore in sterilizers utilizing electric lamps, the lamps have been of the type that extended through the sterilizer from one end thereof to the other and have been in direct contact with the fluid passing through 'the sterilizer. This construction has not been satisfactory. One of the defects has been that seals, usually of the lock nut type, have to be provided at both ends of the lamp, between the lamp and the sterilizer. Any undue pressure in establishing this seal as by tightening the lock nut a little too tight, effects a breakage of the lamp. If the seal is loose, the sterilizer of course leaks. During the operation of a sterilizer of this construction the lamps being exposed to the fluid receive a coating of sediment and the like on the outer surface of the lamp. This coating greatly decreases the efficiency of the lamp as a sterilizing lamp and consequently it is necessary to frequently clean the outer surfaces of the lamps. With the above construction which utilizes relatively long tubular sterilizing lamps, it is relatively difficult to clean the lamps without breaking them either in disassembling or assembling because of the two critical seals or in the cleaning process itself. Another disadvantage with the above construction is that the lamps do not stand limited mechanical shock. Thus, -when the lamps were initially mounted in the factory where the seals can be made eiectively, the lamps frequently break during shipment of the sterilizer unit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a sterilizer of the above character with means for mounting a lamp which together with the lamp can be readily removed as a unit from the exterior of the sterilizer for maintenance purposes, and which supports the lamp in the tank so that the lamp is not in direct contact with the fluid in the sterilizer yet the uid flowing through the sterilizer is exposed to the rays of the lamp in the most efficient and advantageous manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lamp mounting which is rugged, which will withstand mechanical shock and which is uid tight under al1 operating conditions.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a sterilizer of the above character that minimizes the damaging effect of moisture con-l densation on the electrical operating and control auxiliaries of the sterilizer.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a sterilizer of the above character with means for automatically venting air and gases from the interior of the sterilizer.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevational View of a sterilizer embodying my invention having cutaway portions to expose the respective parts of the unit;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken subltantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Fig, 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of Figure l.

Referring now to the drawings, my invention is concerned with constructing a sterilizer for destroying bacteria, yeasts, algae, and the like found in liquids. For purposes of illustration the sterilizer shown herein is of the type used for sterilizing water used in the manufacture of beverages The sterilizer comprises a tank I0 disposed in a service line II so that fluid enters the chamber I2 formed on the interior of the tank through a distributor I3 disposed in an inletopening I4 and having annularly spaced radially arranged outlets to direct the fluid outwardly from the inlet opening to insure a uniform flow pattern past preselected cross sections of the tank and is discharged from the tank through an exhaust port I5 to a continuation I6 of the service line II to a point of use. As shown the tank I0 is cylindrical in form and is provided at one end with a removable head I'I secured as by bolts to an annular ange I 3 integral with the cylindrical body portion I9 of the tank I0. The inlet and outlet ports I4 and I5, respectively, are formed at opposite ends of the tank. Brackets 20 are secured at spaced positions on the bottom of the tank as by welding to form suitable mounting brackets for the sterilizer.

While the uid is flowing through the tank it is subjected to rays of sterilizing lamps '2I. Herein two lamps 2| are utilized and are arranged to be suspended at spaced positions from the top of the tank IU. Preferably the lamps are spaced so that fluid passing through the tank passes through two fields having positions in which the ultra-violetv rays are of maximum intensity. The

lamps are connected to a suitable electric circuit by conventional cables 22, control boxes 23, cables in conduit 24 between the control box 23 and a control box 25, the control box 25, cables in conduit 26 between the control box 25, and ttings 21 plugged into a control box 28, the control box 28 and a conductor 29, having a plug attachment 3| for connection to the power circuit.

One phase of my invention is directed to means for mounting the lamps 2| that permits the lamps to be disposed in the tank for maximum effectiveness in transmitting rays to the fluid and that can be readily removed from the exterior of the tank for maintenance and service without the necessity of removing the lamp 2| from the mounting means. To this Vend thelamps are disposed in an envelope 3| permitting a relatively high transmission of the ultra-violet rays of the lamps 2|, and which in turn is removably mounted in a fluid tight relation on the tank I so that the envelope 3| extends inwardly of the tank to a point short of the opposite wall of the tank. Inasmuch as both lamps 2| are mounted in the same manner only one mounting will be described in detail hereinafter.

In this instance (see Fig. 2) the envelope 3| is in the form of an elongated circular tube fashioned from fused quartz having a relatively high ultra-violet ray transmission coemcient. At one end the tube is closed and at its opposite end the tube is fashioned with an annular collar 3'2. Preferably, the opposite axial faces ofthe collar are substantially parallel and are substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

As shown in Figure 1, the tube 3| extends through an opening 33 in the tank ||l permitting a clearance between the tube and the tank and formed herein in a pad 34 secured to the top of the tank. The tube is retained in position by a flange 36 secured to the pad 34 as by bolts 31, herein four annularly spaced bolts accessible from the exterior of the tank. The flange is formed with an opening 38 in register with the opening 33 in the tank I8. Surrounding the opening 38 is an annular shoulder 39 which when the tube 3| is inserted through the opening in the ange 36 supports the collar 32 of the tube 3|. A nut 4| threaded into an outwardly extending sleeve portion 47. of the flange 36 substantially concentric with the opening 38, is disposed on the opposite side of the collar 32 for securing the collar 32 and the tube 3| in an assembled relation with the iiange 36. The nut 4| is formed with an opening 43 ory such dimension as to permit the ready insertion and removal of the lamps 2| from the tube 3| and through which the cable 22 passes in eiecting connection with the respective lamp 2| when the latter is in an operative position in the tank.

In tanks of this type wherein the pressure ofthe iiuid varies, it is to be understood that pressure exerted on the lamp mounting assembly will also vary. To prevent leakage of fluid between the respective joints of the lamp mounting assembly under all operating conditions, gaskets 44 and 46 are provided between the collar 32 and the nut 4| and between the collar 32 and the annular shoulder 39. In the present instance the gasket 44 between the nut 4| and the collar 32 is in the form of an annular ring of rela-V tively thin gasket material. The gasket 46 between the collar 32 and the shoulder 39 is also` in the form of an annular ring but is constructed of relatively thick gasket material. rI hus ifthe.

pressure in the tank builds up, pressure will be applied to the tube 3| including the collar 32 which tends to move the collar outwardly into tighter engagement with the gasket 44. It is to be understood that since the latter gasket is relatively thin, the axial displacement thereof will be relatively small. The lower gasket 46, however, is relatively thick, and as the collar 32 is urged outwardly the gasket 46 automatically expands to insure that there is a fluid tight seal between the collar 32 and the shoulder 39. A suitable gasket 41 is also disposed between the flange 36 and the pad 34 for preventing leakage of uid therebetween.

With the aforegoing construction, it is to be understood that to clean the envelopes 3| it is only necessary to remove the four bolts 31, securing the nage 36 to the pad 34 and the lamp 2|, ange 36, envelope 3| and the nut 4| holding the envelope in the flange can be quickly and readily removed as a complete assembly. The

gaskets 44 and 46 need not be disturbed by thev user. Thus the possibilities of a leakage from the tank Ill are minimized.

Means is provided for automatically venting air and gases from the tank I8 during the flowA of fluid therethrough. To this end an ejector 48 is disposed in the chamber I2 having one end in communication with the upper part of the chamber and having its other end disposed in thedischarge opening of the tank. With liquid in the tank at a level above the outlet l5 so that water is being discharged therethrough, in accordance with Bernoullis theorem, the pressure in the upper part of the tank will be greater than that at the outlet opening by the amount lost to the velocity head. Thus by Venturi action air and gas are removed through the ejector 48 andv discharged into the outlet opening |5.

Herein the ejector 48 is formed by a tube having one end 49 secured, as by welding, to a boss 5| formed on the upper part of the tank I0. At its opposite end the tube is fashioned to form a nozzle 52 which is disposed in the outlet port l5. Apertures 53 formed in the tube adjacent the connection with the boss 5| provide communication between the chamber I2 and the tube 48. To vent the chamber to atmosphere a pet cock 54, threaded into the boss 5|, is provided at the top of the tank I0.

tube 48 welded to the boss 5I.

Another important feature of my sterilizer is the arrangement of the electrical operating andV control auxiliaries that minimize the damaging effect of moisture condensation thereto. As

shown in the drawings, the connection boxes 23- and 25 are mounted on the tank l0 by brackets 54 and 56, respectively, formed herein by strapy members vwhich space the respective boxes outwardly from the exterior of the tank I6. With this construction a layer of air will be disposed spective control boxes.

respective control boxes. It will be noted that the cross-section area of the respective straps isr such that no appreciable conduction is effected therethrough. Thus, the control boxes will be at a temperature above the dew point and of course condensation of moisture on the boxes is avoided.

During the operation of the sterilizer it fre-y Herein the pet4 cock is in communication with the end 49 of they quently is desirable to observe the interior of the unit to determine whether the lamps are burning and whether the sterilizer needs cleaning due to deposits of sediment forming on the envelopes 3| and the interior of the tank l. For this purpose an observation window 58 is formed in the tank l0. As shown in Fig. 4, the window is in the form of a circular piece of plate glass mounted in a ange 59, The ange is bolted to a pad 6| mounted on the side of the tank as by bolts 62 and is formed on its interior with an opening 63. The latter is in register with an ropening 64 formed in the pad 6l, in communication with the interior of the tank l0. The circular disc is supported between an annular shoulder 66 integral with the iiange 59 and a nut 67, having an opening 68 to expose the glass, threaded into a sleeve portion 69 of the flange and extending outwardly thereof. A suitable relatively thin gasket 'H is disposed between the glass disc 53 and the unit 61 and a suitable relatively thick gasket 12 is disposed between the disc 58 and the shoulder 66 to prevent leakage of duid between the joints of the assembly in the manner heretofore described for the respective lamp mountings.

I cla-im:

1. A sterilizer utilizing a sterilizing lamp comprising, a tank having ports for connection to a relatively high pressure fluid service line and having an opening for said lamp, a flange having an opening in registry with said tank opening, means accessible from the exterior of the tank for securing said flange thereto, said flange having a shoulder in spaced relation with said opening, a relatively thick resilient gasket disposed on said shoulder, an envelope for receiving said lamp having one end closed and disposed in said tank and having the opposite end formed with a radial flange forming a collar, said collar at its face toward the closed end of the envelope engaging said gasket, a second relatively thin gasket disposed -to engage the opposite side of said collar, and means mounted on said flange and abutting said second gasket to secure said collar and said rst and second gaskets in assembled relation whereby above atmospheric pressures in said tank force said collar to compress said relatively thin gasket and permit expansion of said relatively thick gasket to insure a iluid tight assembly.

2. In a liquid sterilizer, the combination of, a tank having a chamber formed on the interior, liquid sterilizing means in said chamber, said tank having an inlet opening for the inflow of i liquid to said chamber disposed below the top of the chamber and an outlet opening for exhausting liquid from said chamber disposed below the top of the chamber, a conduit having an opening in communication with the upper part of said chamber and having an end in the form of a nozzle disposed in said outlet opening so that the discharge of liquid therethrough bleeds air and other gases in the upper part of said chamber through said conduit by Venturi action.

3. In a fluid sterilizer, the combination of, a tank having a chamber formed therein, fluid sterilizing means in said chamber, said tank having an inlet for admitting iiuid to said chamber and having an outlet for exhausting iiuid from said chamber disposed below the top of the chamber, a tube in said chamber having an opening spaced at a level in said chamber above the outlet and an end in the form of a nozzle disposed adjacent said outlet so that said nozzle 1s disposed at a pressure level differing from that at said opening in the tube by the difference in velocity head between the levels of said opening and said nozzle when fluid flows through said tank, whereby the pressure at the higher level forces air to the lower pressure level to be discharged through said nozzle.

4. In a liquid sterilizer comprising a tank having a chamber formed on the interior, liquid sterilizing means in said chamber, said tank having an inlet opening for the inflow of liquid to said chamber and an outlet opening for exhausting liquid from said chamber disposed below the top of the chamber, a conduit having an opening in communication with the upper part of said chamber and having an end in the form of a nozzle disposed in said outlet so that the discharge of liquid therethrough bleeds air and other gases from the upper part of said chamber through said conduit by Venturi action, and means mounted on said tank in communication with said conduit for venting said chamber to atmosphere.

FRED W. WHITLOCK.

References Cited in the lle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 447,308 Garland Mar. 3, 1891 884,728 Gray Apr. 14, 1908 1,089,990 Triquet Mar. 10, 1914 1,196,481 Von Recklinghausen et al.

Aug. 29, 1916 1,307,500 Keyes June 24, 1919 1,735,610 Goodall et al. Nov. 12, 1929 1,880,333 Spindler Oct. 4, 1932 1,896,379 Ross Feb. 7, 1933 1,906,308 Zecher Apr. 25, 1933 1,934,704 Golden Nov. 14, '1933 2,114,345 Hayford Apr. 19, 1938 2,282,024 Bitner May 5, 1942 2,423,884 Glass July 15, 1947 2,434,980 Bibfsky Jan. 27, 1948 2,450,537 Williamson Oct. 5, 1948 2,472,011 Graham May 31, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 284,818 Germany Apr. 5, 1914 

